Mobile electronic communications dialog using sequenced digital images

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a system and method for electronic communications dialog between a plurality of users using digital images. The user selects a template for entering a plurality of words and associated images that constitute an initial electronic message. The user then enters a plurality of words into the template corresponding to the initial electronic message. A plurality of images is selected having a direct correspondence with the plurality of words entered into the template. Each image is inserted into the template in a sequence corresponding to the initial electronic message. When the initial template is complete, the initial electronic message containing the sequenced images is sent to at least one other user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/112,842 filed Apr. 30, 2008 and entitled“ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DIALOG USING SEQUENCED DIGITAL IMAGES STOREDIN AN IMAGE DICTIONARY,” the contents of which are incorporated byreference in-full herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic communications.More particularly, the present invention relates to mobile electroniccommunications dialog systems and methods between users via sequences ofdigital images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability for individuals and groups to communicate and carry on aconversation has been dramatically transformed by personalcomputing/memory devices, easy to use software, and the Internet. Forexample, consumer communications have evolved over the past twenty yearsfrom almost solely using land-based home phone lines for verbalcommunications and discussions to mobile phone devices which enable bothverbal communications and the use of written words as messages in theform of text messages or electronic mail. In this interconnectedInternet world, verbal communication is taking a back seat to softwarethat manipulates words enabling text and email messaging. In this newabbreviated-text, quick-phrase Internet world, meaning can be lost, orthe electronic message can be easily misinterpreted.

Since the evolution of written communications, natural language wordshave dominated communication and dialogue, while descriptive pictureshave been used to provide ad hoc insertions to words and stories. Evenin the current electronic digital age of the Internet, natural languagewords dominate dialogue, as witnessed by the almost universal use ofemail and the more recent explosion of text messaging on computers andcell phones.

The continued investment in (1) advanced computer processor and memorytechnology with the vast manipulation capabilities they provide, and (2)the electronic communication networks that carry the message from onecomputer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, or otherelectronic device to another computer, PDA, cell phone, or otherelectronic device is the modern day equivalent to investment in the wordprinting press. More and more efficient natural language wordcommunication is happening at electron speed to instantly connect oneuser to another user almost anywhere in the world. Yet, theunderstandable meaning being conveyed may be confused, as words do notalways carry enough information for full meaning. For example, when auser texts “Bring home an apple for me,” it is not all that clear whattype of apple that the user wants: red/green, small/large, juicy/dry,sweet/sour, etc, so the apple that the user gets may not be the one thatthe user wanted.

Current word based communication systems operate on a built inconversation control principle of “I talk, you listen, then respond”,where a leader starts the conversation (because in speaking only one cantalk and everyone else listens) and waits for a response from thelistener or audience, and the leader receives feedback and responds,thus continuing the cycle of “I talk, you listen” on and on (or called“post and wait” method in word emails, chats or blogs). Computer emailand text messaging systems mimic this approach as they developed from avocal speech paradigm and imitated how we speak in real life. So, emailand text messaging communication systems tend to list initiator-thenresponses-then initiator response—and so on. Further, once a wordsentence is constructed and used (stated), there is little need to savethe word sentence and reuse it in another word sentence or wordparagraph as is, so the word sentences are used in the one flow theywere first, and only designed for. The conversation control paradigm of“I talk, you listen” does not apply to conversations using imagessequenced together to send message(s) amongst many (tens to millions)participants simultaneously in real time. Each participant uses theirown images and image sentences to communicate at any time in theconversation. New, flexible communication rules (styles) are required tomanage the new visual talking not bounded by the conventional paradigmof “I talk, you listen” control. It is desirable to provide a system andmethod that allows for the selection of a communication style for visualsentences from a palette of styles, for the sequencing of these stylesin a desired conversation flow in a community, and for the selection ofmembers in the community, and for the members to participate in thediscussions using the various styles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for communications includesexecuting an application on a mobile device; selecting a plurality ofimages having correspondence with an initial message, wherein theplurality of images stored in a local visual dictionary on the mobiledevice; inserting each of the plurality of images in a sequence based onthe initial message; and sending the sequenced plurality of images to arecipient. In another exemplary embodiment, a mobile device includes adata store storing a plurality of words and corresponding images in alocal visual dictionary; a network interface communicatively couplingthe mobile device to a network; and a processor communicatively coupledto the data store and the network interface, wherein the processor isconfigured to: execute an application; insert each of the plurality ofimages in a sequence based on an message; and send the sequencedplurality of images including the message to a recipient over thenetwork. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system includes a webportal including a data store storing a first plurality of images,wherein the web portal is communicatively coupled to a network; a firstmobile device communicatively coupled to the network, wherein the firstmobile device includes an application; and a second mobile devicecommunicatively coupled to the network; wherein the application isconfigured to: receive a subset of the first plurality of images fromthe web portal; enter a plurality of words into a dialog on theapplication, wherein the plurality of words includes an initial message;select a second plurality of images having correspondence with theplurality of words, wherein the second plurality of images are from thesubset; insert each of the second plurality of images in a sequencebased on the initial message; and send the sequenced second plurality ofimages to the second mobile device over the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with referenceto the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote likemethod steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of the processing logic to create, save,and send sentences and templates in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates an overview of the flow between user interfacedisplays in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary home portal screen to view a “sentenceof the day” and to initiate a user “sentence.”

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for selecting a template.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for “responding” tomessages sent to the login user.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for enabling selection andtagging of pictures from a visual dictionary or external source andinsertion into the template.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for saving the completedtemplate to a library.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for selecting thecommunity and sending the completed template to the community.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary portal screen for editing the library ofsaved templates.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary flow of how to construct a paragraph orbook from a plurality of saved sentences.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a server which may beutilized in an exemplary implementation of a web portal.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a mobile device whichmay be utilized to provide mobile communications with sequential images.

FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary operational scenarios of the presentinvention including a web portal-based scenario and an application-basedscenario.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a sample of thepossible conversation forum styles used individually or in a collectiveprocess flow for a community.

FIG. 14 illustrates a visual template which may be used a conversationsentences, threads, etc. flowing through the structure of forums.

FIG. 15 illustrates the circle peer forum where an entire community ofmembers may access to view, respond, etc. to all visual templates.

FIG. 16 illustrates the editor forum where an entire community submitstheir visual templates to one editor.

FIG. 17 illustrates the topic wall where all the members can select aspecific issue on a topic and submit the visual templates to that issuefor other to view.

FIG. 18 illustrates the workflow forum where all of the members can seethe entire flow in the community view, but only certain of the memberscan comment on the visual templates at certain times in the flow.

FIG. 19 illustrates the posting style where a specific member creates anongoing story where other members can insert their visual templatecomments.

FIG. 20 illustrates the linear style where all of the members can enterthe flow of a conversation at any point.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment for acommunity leader(s) to build a new community with the desired layeredconversations for visual templates.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of severalforum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate individual discussionson a wide range of topics.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of severalforum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate a business group tosolve a specific complex problem.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of severalforum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate full understanding of adetailed subject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the invention is provided as an enablingteaching of the invention and its best, currently known embodiments.Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes canbe made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining thebeneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desiredbenefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting someof the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features.Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that manymodifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possibleand may even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part ofthe invention. Thus, the following description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the invention andnot in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is definedby the claims.

Given the rapid increase in memory capacity of computers and networks,current image/picture practice focuses entirely on manipulating imagesfor the passive purpose of image presentation and broadcasting, and hasnot been used heretofore for structuring a continuing communicationdialogue, with connections to a responding community of people or alasting relevant image and word dictionary. Current software programshaving varying levels of ability to name images, search images,manipulate images as for adding to and changing the image, and rankimages. Certain Internet web sites allow for the collection of imagesproduced from various sources (e.g., digital cameras) for the purposesof storage and simple display or even printing. As with the printingpress, these image storage systems are similar to individual letters inthe printing press drawer waiting to be assembled into a template fordistribution to the community. And once distributed to the community,the community can respond in kind and carry the discussion forward,saving any components of the discussion they may like, in any form, suchas a paragraph, a book, workflow, a manual.

The current natural language word system of dialogue could be enhancedto deliver clearer meaning by a system and method that adds pictures asa fundamental component to the sentence dialogue structure (and otherstructure templates that can be used to communicate), e.g., insertingthe picture of a green, small, granny smith apple enhances the appletext message and better ensures that the user gets the right apple.Therefore, it is desirable to build a communication system and methodthat uses pictures as the primary mode of dialogue (and words forenhancement).

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for electroniccommunications dialogue between and among a plurality of users.Embodiments include building image dictionaries defined by words,sequencing the images and associated words into certain communicationtemplates, and publishing the templates to select individuals andcommunities or groups for response and discussion. To initiate aconversation, a user first selects a preferred communication templateand inserts sample words, then sample images are selected from a visualdictionary and inserted into the appropriate location in the templateuntil the template is completed. The user selects the method of sendingthe template, identifies the recipients, and presses send on a userinterface. The user may perform this functionality through a web portal,an application operating on a mobile device or the like, etc. Asdescribed herein, a portal may include one or more servers, the “cloud”,a wireless provider, or the like. Specifically, portal may refer to anydevice communicatively coupled to a network such as the Internet that isconfigured to provide the functionality described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a visual dictionary is created for each userusing a facility which takes images from any electronic source (e.g.,photos, websites, drawings), makes a simple image, and allows users toapply naming tags to store the image for later retrieval. A visuallibrary is created for each user to save completed and partiallycompleted templates (e.g., visual sentences, paragraphs, etc.) toretrieve them for further editing or use. In one exemplary embodiment,the visual dictionary is stored at the web portal. In another exemplaryembodiment, the visual dictionary is contained in memory, data storage,etc. associated with a mobile device. Here, the visual dictionary maysynchronize or update through the web portal.

The Overall Integrated System

FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of exemplary processing logic to create,save, and send sentences and templates. This exemplary processing logicshows the major activities of sentence/template creation, saving, andsending. Embodiments are directed to a portal system that allows theuser to enter the web portal (block 10) and view an example “sentence ofthe day” (block 20). If the user wants to create his own dialogue, hecan log in, and have a number of options to participate in a dialogue(block 40). In a first option, the user could create a new sentence or anew template (block 42). In a second option, the user could respond to amessage sent to him from another user (block 44). In a third option, theuser could go to his saved templates library (block 46), and select anitem to edit. In each case, the user selects a message into which imagesare added according to the template. To input images, the user eitherextracts images from sources external to the portal or searches forimages in the user's stored visual dictionary. Once an image is selected(block 58), the user can store the image in a “visual dictionary” (block62) by assigning a word or words to the image, and by assigning a uniquerandom number and other tags that the user defines. Once the user savesthe image in a personal visual dictionary (block 62), the user theninserts the image into the template (block 64). The user repeats thisimage insertion method (blocks 56-64) until the template has beencompleted, and then moves to save the template in the user's library(blocks 68, 70) or goes directly to send the message (block 76). If theuser decides to save the message (block 66), the user defines how tosave it in his library (block 70), and can decide to save it as privateor public for other users to see (block 72). After saving the message(block 74), the user has the option to send it to someone, or to returnto the home portal to insert it into a bigger template, via the sendoption. Using the send option (block 76), the user can decide to submitthe message to the “sentence of the day” (block 78). The user then sendsthe message to selected individuals and/or groups in the portal (blocks80, 82), and can send an alert to others outside the portal viaelectronic means like email. After sending the message (block 76), theuser returns to the home portal and can repeat the process (block 90).In an exemplary embodiment, the alert may also be a full visual message,such as with using an app on a mobile device.

The web portal for electronic communications dialog between a pluralityof users using digital images can be accessed via any computing devicehaving a networking capability including, but not limited to, mainframecomputers, portable computers, workstations, personal digitalassistants, cell phones, and other mobile computing devices.Furthermore, the web portal may be realized in a server, such asdepicted in FIG. 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the present invention may also be implemented as an application ona device, e.g. mobile phone, smart phone, computer, etc. Here, the webportal functionality described herein may be performed locally at thedevice via the application.

FIG. 1B illustrates an overview of the flow between major user interfacedisplays. The various templates including sentences, paragraphs, books,etc. that are used in exemplary embodiments of the invention aredescribed more fully below. User interface 100 enables the new user toview pictoral sentences in section 110 as examples to familiarize thenew user with preparing pictoral sentences, or other templates, fromscratch, and allows the experienced user (“visual talker”) to access anytemplate (200) from section 120, or to respond to recently receiveddialogue via respond user interface (600). If the user wants to create anew simple sentence of six words or less, the user can use the simple“design your sentence” template (120). To input pictures into the simple“design your sentence” template, the user selects a picture via insertpictures user interface (300) from an external source or from the user'sown visual dictionary and then submits the picture to be inserted intothe sentence (120). Each picture submitted to template (120) has theoption to add descriptive words such that when all the words arecombined, they create a simple sentence (or another template). Once thesimple sentence is fully completed with pictures and words, the user cansave the work via save user interface (400). After saving the work in avisual library using save user interface (400), the user can send thework to be communicated to another user by selecting various sendingmethods and user types available via send user interface (500).

Similar to a new simple sentence described above, a user can create anypictoral communication using any number of templates available inexpanded templates (200).

The user can select either to use a respond user interface (600) sendingthe user to view and highlight messages to respond to, or to view moretemplates and select which template to use. Once the template isselected, the user inserts pictures via insert pictures user interface(300), saves the completed template via save user interface (400), andsends the template using send user interface (500) similar to the methodfor a simple sentence.

Accessing the System

With reference to FIG. 2, the home portal page (100) can be found by theuser by typing in the URL of the service provider's website. Once at thehome page, the user can view the entire page including sections 110 and120. Without logging in, the user can view all the examples simply byaccessing the list of examples in “View More” (101). A user may login,by pressing the login button (102). If the user presses any other button(121-126, 140, 150, 160, or 170), the user will be promptedautomatically to login. Once login occurs, the user has access to allbuttons on the user interface 100.

Selecting a New Template

With reference to FIG. 1, after a user logs in, the user can select onlyone working template: (1) as a simple sentence (120), (2) as a largertemplate by pressing “View More” (170), or (3) as a “Respond” (160)using specific response user interface (600). Once the user selects thetemplate, the home page (100) converts to the appropriate userinterface, and the user can begin to insert pictures (300) in theappropriate locations. If the user selects “View More” (170), the userwill be presented with the user interface illustrated in FIG. 3. Withreference to FIG. 3, the user can select a longer sentence (210), apersonal (social) template (220, 230,240, 250), or a business template(260, 270, 280, 290).

Inserting Pictures and Words into a Template

Words are added into a template simply by typing into the word box(131-136). Pictures are added by clicking on the appropriate visual box(121-126, depending on the template chosen) and being transported to the“insert pictures” portal (300) that is illustrated in FIG. 5. Within theinsert pictures portal (300), the user can input a new picture into thework area (350) by one of two main methods: by linking (310) to anexternal site and selecting a picture for insertion, or by “searchingterms” (380) in the visual dictionary and selecting a picture forinsertion. Once the picture is inserted in the work area (350), the usercan enter descriptive data into the appropriate data locations (320).Entering descriptive data into the data locations and saving this forlater search creates a personal visual dictionary for the user. As witha word dictionary and a word associated with definitions, this visualdictionary has images and can be searched by a simple word from a worddictionary or can be searched by the other defined data tags (320). Oncethe user feels he has the right picture and all the data entered toindex the picture in a visual dictionary, the user selects the “insert”button (330). This causes the picture to be inserted into theappropriate location in the template (121-126), and simultaneously intothe visual dictionary with descriptive data.

Saving the Template

Prior to sending (150) a completed template (120), a user can save thetemplate by pressing the save button (140). The user then enters thesave portal user interface (400) as illustrated in FIG. 6. The userinputs data into the appropriate fields creating a visual library record(410). Then, the user must decide to save the record as a public (421)or as a private (422) record. Finally, the user “saves” (430) thecompleted template in the library and is immediately returned to thehome portal (100). At any time while in the save portal, the user maysearch (450) all previously saved entries in the library, and whencompleted, return to the save portal with no changes from when the userleft the save portal.

Sending the Completed Template

With the template complete and saved (140), the user sends (150) thecompleted template using the send portal (500). FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary send portal. If the template is a sentence template, the usercan select “Public Submit” (510) to be considered for “sentence of theday” and be published on the home portal (100) for viewing by otherusers. The user must choose who can review the message after login tothe portal (520). The user can select individuals (521) or groups (522).If the user wants to send an external alert outside of the portal to theintended recipient (530), the user selects the appropriate alert system(531, 532). After the user selects the send button (590), the user isreturned to the original home portal (100) automatically. Note, FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary send portal that may be used over a network.Alternatively, FIG. 7 may be modifier to provide a send user interfaceon a mobile device with similar functions.

Responding to a Message

With reference to FIG. 2, the user knows that there is a messageawaiting the user's response by seeing the “Respond” button (160)highlighted. When the user selects the respond button (160), the user ispresented with the user interface (600) depicted in FIG. 4. The user canview (610) all messages awaiting response by selecting “View More” (602)and scrolling through a list of templates (i.e., sentences, etc). Thisscrolling mechanism operates similar to viewing the “sentence of theday” (110) as depicted in FIG. 2, and then scrolling through thesentences after pressing “View More” (101). In the user interface ofFIG. 4, in order to select a message to respond to, the user clicks on“Select One” (601), and that selection is then inserted into the “designyour sentence” template (620).

The “design/save/send” actions necessary to finish the design of therespond sentence are similar to the actions described above for: (1)inserting pictures and words into a template, (2) saving the template,and (3) sending the completed template. For the first action, the userselects “Visuals” (621-626) in the user interface 600 of FIG. 4, and ispresented with user interface 300 of FIG. 5 to insert images. For thesecond action, the user selects “Save” (640) and is presented with userinterface 400 of FIG. 6 to save the template. For the third action, theuser selects “Send” (650) and is presented with user interface 500 ofFIG. 7 to send the message. The user can press “Home” (670) and returnto FIG. 2 at any time.

Edit Library of Saved Templates

As illustrated in the user interface 700 of FIG. 8, a user may want to:(1) add to and complete a previously saved sentence (720), (2)add/insert a previously saved sentence into a larger template (760), or(3) send a previously completed sentence (750). Similar to responding toa message, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user selects (701) a savedsentence from a list (702) and edits the saved sentence in “Design yourtemplate” (720). Once the user completes the template (720), the userhas three options: (1) to save (740), (2) to send (750), or (3) toinsert into a larger template (760). Selecting save (740), the user ispresented with the user interface of FIG. 6. Selecting send (750), theuser is presented with the user interface of FIG. 7. Selectinginsert/template (760), the user is presented with the user interface ofFIG. 3.

Example Sentence Message

In creating a simple message “I love you” to send to the user's spouse,the user selects the simple sentence template (120) in the home portal(100) illustrated in FIG. 2. The user types “I” in the first word box(131), “love” in the second word box (132), and “you” in the third wordbox (133). Above the word “I” the user clicks (121) to go to the “insertpictures” portal (300) of FIG. 5, and selects a picture (310) from anexternal site where the user stored a self-image digital picture fromthat day. The user inserts that picture (350) and the associated dataand tags (320), and selects the insert button (330) to put the image(121) above the “I” in the template 120. Next, the process is repeatedfor selecting the image (122) above the word “love,” which happens tocome from the visual dictionary on a search. The template is completedby adding a picture (123) of the intended recipient (“you”) from adigital photo scanned into the “insert pictures” portal (300). With thetemplate completed, the user selects save (140) and in the library (400)user interface of FIG. 6, adds the data (410), private (422), and saves(430). As a final step, the user presses send (150) on the userinterface of FIG. 2, selects the individual (521) on the user interfaceof FIG. 7, and hits send (590). The message is sent to the recipient.The person to whom this message is sent has a respond button (160)flashing and responds to the message using a similar process.

Example Very Simple Dialogue to Make a Choice While Shopping

As another example, consider a female shopper in the dressing room of amajor retailer trying to match a potential new pair of shoes with thebest dress from several different dress styles. While in the dressingroom, the shopper tries on each dress with the pair of shoes and takes adigital picture of herself on her cell phone and stores each image.After taking all the needed dress pictures, the shopper logs into theportal (100) and enters the design a sentence template (120). Theshopper types “Which dress?” into the first word box and then above thisword box the shopper clicks (121) to go to the “insert pictures” portal(300). From her saved digital pictures (310), the shopper individuallyadds each picture taken to the insert visuals (350), and without savingthese temporary pictures in the visual dictionary (320), the shopperinserts (330) the pictures into the sentence (121) in one box, andskipping save (140), selects send (150) to send the message to herfriend. The person to whom this message is sent responds (160) using asimilar process, selects the best dress and sends the response to theshopper. The shopper then leaves the dressing room and buys the selecteddress.

Example Paragraph Message Leading to a Book Template

With reference to FIG. 9, one method to make a paragraph is to createindividual sentences (120 or 210), save them individually in the library(410), and add the sentences individually to the paragraph template(220) by using the save library insert template (720) and the select one(701) sentence from viewing the saved sentences (710). For example,consider a user that wants to send the following message to a group offriends: “I went for a walk in the woods. The trees were in full bloom.I saw birds romancing and I heard their songs. I turned over a rock andsaw all kinds of critters . . . . ” During the walk, the user took manydigital photos of the woods, the trees, the blooms, birds, critters,etc. For each sentence, the user builds the sentence using the designyour sentence template (120) as described in the simple example above,and saves each sentence in the library (410), but does not send thesentences saved. Once all sentences are completed and saved, using theinterface of FIG. 8, the user edits the save library (720), selectsinsert template (760) to select a paragraph (220), clicks “select one”(701) to choose a previously saved sentence, and inserts the sentenceinto the paragraph template. Once the paragraph is complete the usersaves (400) the paragraph and sends the paragraph (500) to a group (522)of friends.

With reference to FIG. 9, the user can create a book, story, or longertemplate by saving individual paragraphs (220) and then combining theparagraphs together in a book template (250). Combining paragraphs caninclude editing and manipulation of a plurality of saved sentencetemplates. The book building process is similar to the paragraphbuilding process described above.

Example How to Manual at Work

With reference again to FIG. 9, a how to instruction manual at work canbe built easily by creating simple sentence (210) instructions and thenadding each sentence instruction in a sequenced list to the manualtemplate which is similar to a book template.

Example Maintenance Worker Asking for Best Way to Fix Trouble at RemoteSite

Similar to the shopper example above, consider a maintenance worker whocould be at a local site to repair a machine, but needs expert advicefrom the central office.

Similar to the shopper example, the maintenance worker takes pictures ofthe machine in action and uses these pictures in sentences sent to theexpert, for the expert to select the best way forward. The maintenanceworker performs the work recommended by the remote expert and recordsthis success in a workflow (280) template. Furthermore, the maintenanceworker can go to the save library (700) and view the pictoral operatingmanual (290) for the machine.

Web Portal

Referring to FIG. 10, in an exemplary embodiment, a block diagramillustrates a server 1200 which may be utilized in an exemplaryimplementation of the web portal 10. The web portal 10 may be formedthrough one or more servers 1200. The server 1200 may be a digitalcomputer that, in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes aprocessor 1202, input/output (I/O) interfaces 1204, a network interface1206, a data store 1208, and a memory 1210. It should be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that FIG. 10 depicts the server 1200in an oversimplified manner, and a practical embodiment may includeadditional components and suitably configured processing logic tosupport known or conventional operating features that are not describedin detail herein. The components (1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1210) arecommunicatively coupled via a local interface 1212. The local interface1212 may be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or otherwired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The localinterface 1212 may have additional elements, which are omitted forsimplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters,and receivers, among many others, to enable communications. Further, thelocal interface 1212 may include address, control, and/or dataconnections to enable appropriate communications among theaforementioned components.

The processor 1202 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 1202 may be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliaryprocessor among several processors associated with the server 1200, asemiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or generally any device for executing software instructions. Whenthe server 1200 is in operation, the processor 1202 is configured toexecute software stored within the memory 1210, to communicate data toand from the memory 1210, and to generally control operations of theserver 1200 pursuant to the software instructions. The I/O interfaces1204 may be used to receive user input from and/or for providing systemoutput to one or more devices or components. User input may be providedvia, for example, a keyboard, touch pad, and/or a mouse. System outputmay be provided via a display device and a printer (not shown). I/Ointerfaces 1204 can include, for example, a serial port, a parallelport, a small computer system interface (SCSI), an infrared (IR)interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and/or a universal serialbus (USB) interface.

The network interface 1206 may be used to enable the server 1200 tocommunicate on a network, such as the Internet and the like, etc. Forexample, the server 1200 can utilize the network interface 1206 tocommunicate to/from a plurality of users of the web portal 10, etc. Thenetwork interface 1206 may include, for example, an Ethernet card oradapter (e.g., 10 BaseT, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet) or a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) card or adapter (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n). Thenetwork interface 1206 may include address, control, and/or dataconnections to enable appropriate communications on the network. A datastore 1208 may be used to store data. The data store 1208 may includeany of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, suchas DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and the like)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g.,ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, and the like), and combinations thereof.Moreover, the data store 1208 may incorporate electronic, magnetic,optical, and/or other types of storage media. In one example, the datastore 1208 may be located internal to the server 1200 such as, forexample, an internal hard drive connected to the local interface 1212 inthe server 1200. Additionally in another embodiment, the data store 1208may be located external to the server 1200 such as, for example, anexternal hard drive connected to the I/O interfaces 1204 (e.g., SCSI orUSB connection). In a further embodiment, the data store 1208 may beconnected to the server 1200 through a network, such as, for example, anetwork attached file server.

The memory 1210 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g.,random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)),nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.),and combinations thereof. Moreover, the memory 1210 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Notethat the memory 1210 may have a distributed architecture, where variouscomponents are situated remotely from one another, but can be accessedby the processor 1202. The software in memory 1210 may include one ormore software programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. The softwarein the memory 1210 includes a suitable operating system (O/S) 1214 andone or more programs 1206. The operating system 1214 essentiallycontrols the execution of other computer programs, such as the one ormore programs 1206, and provides scheduling, input-output control, fileand data management, memory management, and communication control andrelated services. The operating system 1214 may be any of Windows NT,Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server2003/2008 (all available from Microsoft, Corp. of Redmond, Wash.),Solaris (available from Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.),LINUX (or another UNIX variant) (available from Red Hat of Raleigh,N.C.), or the like. The one or more programs 1216 may be configured toimplement the various processes, algorithms, methods, techniques, etc.described herein with respect to the web portal 10 and the like.

Mobile Device

Referring to FIG. 11, in an exemplary embodiment, the present inventionmay include a mobile device 1300 with various components configured forproviding mobile communications using sequenced images. The mobiledevice 1300 may be a cell phone, smart phone, portable digital accessory(PDA), tablet device, laptop computer, and the like. The mobile device1300 may be a digital device that, in terms of hardware architecture,generally includes a processor 1312, input/output (I/O) interfaces 1314,a radio 1316, a data store 1318, and memory 1322. It should beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that FIG. 11 depictsthe mobile device 1310 in an oversimplified manner, and a practicalembodiment may include additional components and suitably configuredprocessing logic to support known or conventional operating featuresthat are not described in detail herein. The components (1312, 1314,1316, 1318, 1320, and 1322) are communicatively coupled via a localinterface 1324. The local interface 1324 can be, for example but notlimited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, asis known in the art. The local interface 1324 can have additionalelements, which are omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers(caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, among many others, toenable communications. Further, the local interface 1324 can includeaddress, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriatecommunications among the aforementioned components.

The processor 1312 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 1312 can be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliaryprocessor among several processors associated with the mobile device1310, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchipor chip set), or generally any device for executing softwareinstructions. When the mobile device 1310 is in operation, the processor1312 is configured to execute software stored within the memory 1322, tocommunicate data to and from the memory 1322, and to generally controloperations of the mobile device 1310 pursuant to the softwareinstructions. The I/O interfaces 1314 can be used to receive user inputfrom and/or for providing system output to one or more devices orcomponents. User input can be provided via, for example, a keyboard, akeypad, a mouse, a scroll bar, buttons, and the like. System output canbe provided via a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),touch screen, and the like. The I/O interfaces 1314 can also include,for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a small computer systeminterface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF)interface, and/or a universal serial bus (USB) interface. The I/Ointerfaces 1314 can include a graphical user interface (GUI) thatenables a user to interact with the mobile device 1310. Furthermore, theI/O interfaces 1314 may include a camera and/or video camera deviceconfigured to obtain images. The camera may be utilized in conjunctionwith the dialog presented in FIG. 6 with providing new images for use incommunications.

The radio 1316 enables wireless communication to an external accessdevice or network. Any number of suitable wireless data communicationprotocols, techniques, or methodologies can be supported by the radio16, including, without limitation: RF; IrDA (infrared); Bluetooth;ZigBee (and other variants of the IEEE 802.15 protocol); IEEE 802.11(any variation); IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX or any other variation); DirectSequence Spread Spectrum; Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum;cellular/wireless/cordless telecommunication protocols; wireless homenetwork communication protocols; paging network protocols; magneticinduction; satellite data communication protocols; wireless hospital orhealth care facility network protocols such as those operating in theWMTS bands; GPRS; and proprietary wireless data communication protocolssuch as variants of Wireless USB. The data store 1318 can be used tostore data. The data store 1318 can include any of volatile memoryelements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM,and the like)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive,tape, CDROM, and the like), and combinations thereof. Moreover, the datastore 1318 can incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or othertypes of storage media.

The memory 1322 can include any of volatile memory elements (e.g.,random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)),nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.),and combinations thereof. Moreover, the memory 1322 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Notethat the memory 1322 can have a distributed architecture, where variouscomponents are situated remotely from one another, but can be accessedby the processor 1312. The software in memory 1322 can include one ormore software programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. In theexample of FIG. 11, the software in the memory system 1322 includes asuitable operating system (O/S) 1326 and programs 1328. The operatingsystem 1326 essentially controls the execution of other computerprograms, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and datamanagement, memory management, and communication control and relatedservices. The operating system 1326 can be any of LINUX (or another UNIXvariant), Android (available from Google), Symbian OS, Microsoft WindowsCE, iPhone OS (available from Apple, Inc.), Palm OS, Blackberry OS, andthe like.

Exemplary System Configurations

Referring to FIG. 12, in exemplary embodiments, various diagramsillustrate exemplary operational scenarios providing mobilecommunications using sequenced images. As described herein, the systemsand methods of the present invention enable communications between usersusing sequenced images. FIG. 12 illustrates two exemplary operationalscenarios including a web portal-based scenario 1400 and anapplication-based scenario 1402. Each of these exemplary scenarios 1400,1402 may be utilized to perform the systems and methods describedherein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the web portal-based scenario 1400 includesa web portal 1410 connected to a plurality of users 1412 via a network1414, such as the Internet. Here, the plurality of users 1412 mayinclude laptop computers, desktop computers, tablets, mobile devices,and the like connected to the network 1414, e.g. through wiredconnections (cable modem, digital subscriber loop (DSL), dial-up,Ethernet, etc.) or wireless connections (3G/4G cellular, WLAN, WIMAX,etc.). One of the users 1412 may access the web portal 1410, such asdescribed in FIG. 1A, and create a message of sequenced images via theweb portal 1410. Once created, the message may be sent via the webportal 1410 to another of the users 1412. For example, the message maybe sent through any form known in the art, including, but not limitedto, emails, web link, picture message via Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS), text message via Short Message Service (SMS), tweet via Twitter®,instant message, Facebook® update, and the like. Of note, in the webportal-based scenario 1400, the message is created on the web portal1410 using a UI and associated dictionaries connected to the web portal1410. That is, the users 1412 may implement any of the methods,processes, mechanisms, etc. described herein in FIGS. 1-9 via the webportal 1410.

In another exemplary embodiment, the application-based scenario 1402includes a first user 1420 communicatively coupled to a second user 1422via a network 1424. In one exemplary embodiment, the first user 1420 mayinclude a mobile device such as the mobile device 1300 and the network1424 may include a wireless network (e.g. 3G/4G cellular, WLAN, WIMAX,etc.). Here, the mobile device 1300 includes an application in theprograms 1328 that may be referred to as a visual dictionaryapplication. The application is configured to provide similarfunctionality as the web portal 1410. Specifically, the application maybe configured to implement any of the methods, processes, mechanisms,etc. described herein in FIGS. 1-9. Using the application, the firstuser 1420 may create a message of sequenced images on the mobile device1300. The application may allow the first user 1420 to send the messageto the second user 1422 via the network 1424. For example, the messagemay be sent through any form known in the art, including, but notlimited to, emails, web link, picture message via Multimedia MessagingService (MMS), text message via Short Message Service (SMS), tweet viaTwitter®, instant message, Facebook® update, and the like. The seconduser 1422 does not necessarily have to be configured with theapplication for receipt of the message. The second user 1422 may receivethe message via conventional mechanisms.

In an exemplary embodiment in the application-based scenario 1402, thefirst user 1420 may connect once or periodically to the web portal 1410(or another server). For example, the web portal 1410 may provide theapplication in downloaded form to the mobile device 1300. It is expectedthat the first user 1420 may connect to the web portal 1410 for initialdownload and installation of the application. Furthermore, the firstuser 1420 may connect to the web portal 1410 periodically for updates,image synchronization, and the like.

In both the web portal-based scenario 1400 and the application-basedscenario 1402, the web portal 1410 may include a visual dictionary aspart of the data store 1208 and the memory 1210. As described herein,the visual dictionary includes a plurality of images used to createmessages. FIG. 5 illustrates using the visual dictionary for creating amessage, and FIG. 6 illustrates adding new images into the visualdictionary. In the web portal-based scenario 1400, the visual dictionarymay be extremely large with billions and billions of images stored atthe web portal 1410. Note, each user may have a customized visualdictionary, but a particular image may be stored once and taggedseparately for each user. That is, the visual dictionary for the webportal 1410 may include a vast plurality of images along with individualdictionaries for a plurality of users with the individual dictionariesincluding specific images of the plurality of images.

In the application-based scenario 1402, the visual dictionary may bereferred to as a local visual dictionary that is stored within themobile device 1300 (e.g. in the data store 1318, the memory 1322, etc.).The application-based scenario 1402 may be constrained in an amount ofstorage available at the mobile device 1300 for the visual dictionary.As storage amounts increase in the mobile device 1300, the local visualdictionary may include more images. In an exemplary embodiment, thelocal visual dictionary may include a subset of the plurality of imagesstored in the web portal 1410. This subset may be user-defined,dynamically adjusted based on usage history, predetermined, and thelike. Furthermore, the mobile device 1300 may synchronize with the webportal 1410 on a periodic basis to upload/download new images and thelike.

In an exemplary embodiment, a user in the application-based scenario1402 may also be a user in the web portal-based scenario 1400. Here, theuser may define a visual dictionary on the web portal 1410 that issynchronized with the mobile device 1300. For example, the user mayenter the web portal and select particular images of the plurality ofimages on the web portal 1410 for use in the local visual dictionary.Alternatively, the web portal 1410 may be configured to cache recentlyused images of the user and to synchronize these in the local visualdictionary.

Palette of Forms

Referring to FIGS. 13-24, in various exemplary embodiments, the presentinvention may be utilized building and managing a layered dialogue of acommunity using electronic dialogue communication amongst a plurality ofusers. Since the invention of the printing press, words have dominatedcommunication, and there are few other communication methods beside the“I talk, you listen and respond” format, and their use is very limited,such as hand sign language for the deaf. More recently, with the adventof text messaging, a limited set of simple symbols, like “smiley or sadfaces” are being added to word messages. These simple symbols lack anyrich or descriptive meaning and as such, are normally used to end aconversation. Still, the simple symbols are put in simple word sentencesand inserted into the “I talk, you listen and respond” conversationformat.

The electronic communications dialog systems and methods describedherein utilizes sentences based on images as the fundamental componentof a sentence. However, this new system continues to use the “I talk,you listen and respond” conversation format demanded by word-basedsystems. It is as though the command and control mechanism of the spokenor written word is commanding the communication using images, where nosuch command and control is required. The electronic communicationsdialog systems and methods described herein may be utilized to allowunique and flexible methods to create a new conversation flow of image,sentences, or visual templates for individuals or defined communities.Without the use of words, and by using images, hundreds (or thousands ormillions of geographically diverse language backgrounds) of communitymembers may visually talk simultaneously or in new organized flows.

The current “I talk, you listen” command and control communicationmechanism may be replaced by a system and method that uses visualtemplates uniquely inserted, arranged, rearranged, and reused in manynew conversation style forums assembled in a predetermined sequence fora specific community, e.g. inserting a visual template of a complete newbusiness idea in an editor forum ensures it will be focused upon, andthen inserted in a circle peer forum to expand the idea, and finally tobe inserted into a workflow forum to be approved and quickly implementedensures that the idea gets fully explored, expanded, approved and thencorrectly implemented. Three different command and control communicationmechanism where used on one template distributed among many forums andan unlimited number of members. Therefore, it is desirable to build acommunication system and method that uses visual templates inserted intoany number of predetermined forum styles organized in a precise flow bycommunity members.

Collectively, FIGS. 13-24 described a “palette of forms” using theelectronic communications dialog systems and methods described hereinoutside the standard “I talk, you listen” structure. FIG. 13 illustratesan overview of the palette which contains a sample of the possibleconversation forum styles used individually or in a collective processflow for a community. Specifically, exemplary conversation forum stylesmay include a circle peer forum 2002 described in FIG. 15, an editorforum 2004 described in FIG. 16, a topic wall 2006 described in FIG. 17,a workflow forum 2008 described in FIG. 18, posting style 2010 describedin FIG. 19, and linear style 2012 described in FIG. 20. FIGS. 15-20illustrate exemplary forums that may be created using the visual imagecommunication system and method of the present invention. A lead membermay select a particular forum style or styles for the community and putthem in a defined sequence (examples are illustrated in FIGS. 21-24).Individual members may access the community forums by entering a portal(via computer browser, a PDA browser, smart phone browser, etc), joininga community, and entering their visual templates in the specific forumor flow of forums.

FIG. 14 illustrates a visual template 2110A which may be used in aconversation sentences, threads, etc. flowing through the structure ofthe forums described in FIGS. 15-20. As described in FIG. 9, the visualtemplate 2110A may include a visual sentence 210, a visual paragraph220, a visual book 250, and the like, each of which contain images asthe basic foundation for conveying a message. In FIGS. 15-20, thisvisual template 2110A structure is summarized in a message block (2110A)from a specific member (10), for example 2110A is the first visualtemplate message from member 10 with the last digits referring to themember and A referring to the first message sent. Further, 2110B is thesend message from member 10, 2111A is a first message from member 11,etc. In this manner, FIGS. 15-20 illustrate message flows from variousmembers 2200 using the visual templates 21XXn where XX is the member onthe FIG. and n is the sequenced message from the member.

FIG. 15 illustrates the circle peer forum 2002 where an entire communityof members 2200 may access to view, respond, etc. to all visualtemplates 2110. The circle peer forum 2002 conversation style allows allmembers 2200 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, etc) to see all other members visualtemplates 2110 and to respond to all other visual templates. Forexample, the various visual templates 2110 may be “posted” in acommunity view 2202 where all members 2200 may view, respond, etc. Thecommunity view 2202 may be physically stored at web portal 10 andaccessed by the members 2200 via a mobile device 1300 or the like. Thecircle peer forum 2002 is useful for openly discussing an issue (apoint, an idea, etc) to get all relevant facts, points of view, etc. tofully understand the issue. In operation, a member 2200 may click on anyvisual template 2110 from another member (e.g. the visual template2110A) and respond (e.g. the visual template 2110B), and other members2200 may respond to any of the other members 2200 and the circle peerforum 2002 keeps track.

FIG. 16 illustrates the editor forum 2004 where an entire communitysubmits their visual templates 2110 to one editor 2290, and the editor2290 is the only one who can see these submitted visual templates 2110,but the editor 2290 selects some visual templates 2110 to publish to theentire community to see in the community view 2202. The editor forum2004 is particularly useful for communities who want to have a cleardecision on all conversations. For example, in FIG. 16, the editor 2290selects only the visual templates 2110A, 2114B for the community view2202.

FIG. 17 illustrates the topic wall 2006 where all the members 2200 canselect a specific issue on a topic wall 2300 and submit the visualtemplates 2110 to that issue for others to view. The topic wall 2006 isparticularly useful for large communities that have many differentsubjects to discuss. For example, the topic wall 2300 may be physicallystored at web portal 10 and accessed by the members 2200 via a mobiledevice 1300 or the like. The topic wall 2006 may include any topic suchas, for example, issues, events, people, projects, missions, play, etc.

FIG. 18 illustrates the workflow forum 2008 where all of the members2200 can see the entire flow in the community view 2202, but onlycertain of the members 2200 can comment on the visual templates 2110 atcertain times in the flow. The workflow forum 2008 allows all of themembers 2200 to view and comment on a subject as it moves throughvarious different viewpoints, e.g. different departments in acorporation, with the end result being a conversation that has moved ina linear fashion through different groups. This is particularly usefulfor communities who want to ensure certain key functions have reviewedand commented.

FIG. 19 illustrates the posting style 2010 where a specific member 2200creates an ongoing story where other members 2200 can insert theirvisual template 2110 comments. The posting style 2010 allows individualmembers 2200 to keep a running portrayal of their visual templates 2110over time, with the ability of other members 2200 to comment with theirvisual templates 2110 on any part of the running portrayal. This isparticularly useful for individuals and groups to share a developingstory, activity, thought, etc over time and review how that area changedover time and who had input.

FIG. 20 illustrates the linear style 2012 where all of the members 2200can enter the flow of a conversation 2400 at any point. The linear style2012 allows the members 2200 to send messages and respond to messagesand show the linear progression of the conversation 2400. This isintended to keep track of basic conversations between a few individualmembers 2200.

Creating a Community with Profiles and Layered Forum Conversations

In the word dominated world of “I talk, you Listen”, the flow of theconversation is already defined, so there is little need when usingwords to change the conversation style. Using visual templates 2110 asthe basis of communication instead of words, the flow of the firstconversation and each subsequent conversation among a few members 2200or all members 2200 can be designed and determined by communityleader(s). A community leader will want the flexibility to start aconversation in certain way and have the flow of the conversation evolveinto different conversation forums.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment 2500 for acommunity leader(s) to build a new community with the desired layeredconversations for visual templates. As described herein, a communityleader, member, etc. is an individual with a device, component, etc.configured to utilize the visual templates via the portal 10 and thelike. In the exemplary embodiment 2500, a leader logs into the portal 10(step 2502) to create a profile allowing individual members to sign up(step 2504), to articulate rules to guide member creation of public andprivate visual dictionaries and visual libraries (2506), and to organizea conversation flow from a palette (2508). At this point, users, etc.may login through the profile (step 2510), and the users, now members,may participate fully by adding their visual template messages to theforums (step 2512).

Thus, the present invention may be utilized for building and managingthe layered dialogue of a community using electronic dialoguecommunication (e.g. via images) amongst a plurality of users. The usersmay be based on a community definition that includes common bindingmembership elements. The community leaders may use structures from apalette of forums defining how the flow of dialogue progresses andevolves among users. Users may participate by submitting their visualtemplates (i.e. sentences, paragraphs, books, etc.) into the dialogueflow.

To initiate a community, leaders select certain membership criteria,certain visual dictionary and visual library rules. The leaders mayselect from a palette the type of conversations (e.g. circle peer style,an editor style, a topic wall style, a workflow style, a posting style,etc.) and then sequence them in a predetermined flow. Users can enterthe entire conversation flow or just parts thereof of their choosing toengage in dialogue.

To initiate or join a conversation, a user first selects the preferredcommunity(ies) they are a member of, and upon entry scans all theconversations, and adds their appropriate template in a conversation, orcreates a new conversation directed at members they chose. The user canenter discussion at various points. The user creates their templatesfrom a set of templates already created by the community, or from theirprivate library of templates and completed templates. To insert imagesinto a template, a user selects the images from the community visualdictionary, their own private dictionary, or another public source. Oncethe user inserts their template into the conversation, they press sendand others in the conversation can see the addition. The template can beviewed in multiple conversations. Millions of users can interact realtime together with this method.

One use of the system and method is for private individuals in acommunity to carry on many conversations about what events, issues,projects, activities, etc. are important now and in the future, so aconversations starts with a topic wall type to show all theconversations possible, followed by a circle peer style to focus on aspecific area, and finalized with an editor style to reach a publicizedconsensus. Another use of the system and method is for a business tosolve a critical problem, so a conversation starts with the editor styleto select the most important problem, followed by a circle peer style tofind potential solutions, followed by a work flow style to gainacceptance of certain solutions. Another use of the system is for agroup (of friends, of zoologists, etc.) who want to track their day orproduce books of common interest, so they start with a posting method toshare thoughts, followed by an editor method to finalize the output.

Example Community Flow for Wide Variety of Subject Matter

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of severalforum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate individual discussionson a wide range of topics. To create a socially conscious community 1)exposed to certain major issues of the day and 2) capable of creatingpositive action steps for the community, the community leader may enterthe portal and creates a community using the exemplary embodiment 2500.For example, to create the structure of the conversation flow, theleader selects the wall forum 2006 from the palette and uses this as thefirst conversation flow piece to create and select all issues. Futuremembers can enter this wall forum 2006 in the community and add issues,topics, etc for discussion. Realizing that the community will want to domore than list and view all issues, the leader selects the circle peerstyle 2002 from the palette and inserts this forum in the community,allowing users to take an issue from the wall forum 2006 and make thatissue the center of discussion for a circle peer style 2002, and usercan all see the discussion about the issue and contribute as needed. Inthe circle peer style 2002, the issue is fully explored by interestedmembers from all viewpoints and perspectives. Realizing that certainmembers may want to take a fully explored issue from the circle peerflow and publicize the ‘correct” viewpoint, the leader takes the editorforum style 2004 and makes this the last in the layered conversations.So a member selects an issue from the circle peer style 2002 andpublishes their editor view in the editor forum style 2004, and theeditor receives comments only the editor can see, and the editorpublishes to the community only what the editor wants.

Example Community Flow for Solving Business Problems

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of severalforum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate a business group tosolve a specific complex problem. To create a business communitydesigned to solve complex business problems, a company leader enters theportal and creates a community using the exemplary embodiment 2500. Tocreate the structure of the conversation flow, the leader selects theeditor forum 2004 from the palette and uses this to collect ideas frommembers on a published public problem the editor is addressing. Theeditor takes the solution idea and publishes only the ones the editorselects have merit, as judged by the editors' skills and experience. Theleader anticipates that the layered conversation should next include acircle peer forum 2002, so the leader takes the forum from the paletteand inserts it in the layered conversation. This allows a member to takea published editor visual template from the editor style and make it thecentral item of the circle peer forum 2002, thus allowing all member toadd to and build the core solution. Next the leader anticipates reachinga final consensus on the right solution from each impacted companydepartment perspective, the leader next adds the work flow forum 2008into the layered conversation. The solution in visual template formatenters the work flow forum 2008 and each department in the work flowadds there visual template messages. In this fashion, a company leadercreated the community using a specific layered conversation flow, andthis community is good at solving complex business problems from allperspectives.

Example Community Flow for Posting Thoughts and Publishing a Result

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of selection of a couple offorum styles ordered in a sequence to facilitate full understanding of adetailed subject. A leader believes the community members want toexpress their beliefs as they experience life, so members want to keep apublic daily log (or any time increment) of visual templates. So theleader forms a community with the starting layered conversation as aposting style 2010 forum. As the wisdom in the community grows, specialexperts want to summarize the wisdom, so the leader next adds an editorforum 2004 to the layered conversation so members have the ability tobecome expert prognosticators.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended tobe covered by the following claims.

1. A method for communications, comprising: executing an application ona mobile device; selecting a plurality of images having correspondencewith an initial message, wherein the plurality of images stored in alocal visual dictionary on the mobile device; inserting each of theplurality of images in a sequence based on the initial message; andsending the sequenced plurality of images to a recipient.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: downloading the application andinstalling the application on the mobile device.
 3. The method of claim2, further comprising: selecting the plurality of images from a largerset of images; and receiving the plurality of images at the mobiledevice.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: synchronizing oneor more images to the plurality of images from a larger set of images.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining a new image atthe mobile device; tagging the new image with one or more identifiers;and storing the new image in the local visual dictionary with the one ormore identifiers.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enteringa plurality of words into a dialog on the application, wherein theplurality of words comprises the initial message.
 7. The method of claim6, further comprising: receiving the plurality of images havingcorrespondence with the plurality of words based on one or moreidentifiers associated with each of the plurality of images and theplurality of words.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending thesequenced plurality of images to a recipient is performed over one ofemail, web link, picture message via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS),text message via Short Message Service (SMS), tweet via Twitter®,instant message, and Facebook® update.
 9. A mobile device, comprising: adata store storing a plurality of words and corresponding images in alocal visual dictionary; a network interface communicatively couplingthe mobile device to a network; and a processor communicatively coupledto the data store and the network interface, wherein the processor isconfigured to: execute an application; insert each of the plurality ofimages in a sequence based on an message; and send the sequencedplurality of images comprising the message to a recipient over thenetwork.
 10. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: download the application over the network andinstall the application.
 11. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein thecorresponding images in the local visual dictionary are selected from alarger set of images stored on a server.
 12. The mobile device of claim11, wherein the processor is further configured to: synchronize thelocal visual dictionary with the server.
 13. The mobile device of claim9, further comprising: a camera communicatively coupled to the datastore and the processor, wherein the camera is configured to obtain anew image, and wherein the processor is configured to tag the new imagewith one or more identifiers and store the new image in the local visualdictionary with the one or more identifiers.
 14. The mobile device ofclaim 9, wherein the processor is configured to send the sequencedplurality of images to a recipient over the network via one of email,web link, picture message via Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), textmessage via Short Message Service (SMS), tweet via Twitter®, instantmessage, and Facebook® update.
 15. A system, comprising: a web portalcomprising a data store storing a first plurality of images, wherein theweb portal is communicatively coupled to a network; a first mobiledevice communicatively coupled to the network, wherein the first mobiledevice comprises an application; and a second mobile devicecommunicatively coupled to the network; wherein the application isconfigured to: select a plurality of images having correspondence withan initial message, wherein the plurality of images stored in a localvisual dictionary on the mobile device; insert each of the plurality ofimages in a sequence based on the initial message; and send thesequenced plurality of images.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein theweb portal further comprises a community view application configured toenable a plurality of users to communicate thereon.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the community view application comprises a pluralityof forums for communication thereon by the plurality of users.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the community view application comprises anability to sequence two or more of the plurality of forums forcommunication thereon by the plurality of users.